Statewide, voter registration is higher than four years ago, but fewer are designating their party preference

Secretary of State Debra Bowen has published the latest statewide voter-registration report, which shows a higher percentage of eligible Californians are registered to vote since this time four years ago while fewer than ever are indicating a political party preference.
The 60-day Report of Registration shows more than 17 million Californians are registered to vote, 21.3 percent of whom chose no party preference– a new all-time high. The previous record high of unaffiliated voters was 21.2 percent, reported in Bowen’s last Report of Registration three months ago.
The complete report, which includes voter registration data for a variety of political subdivisions, is available at sos.ca.gov/elections/ror/ ror-pages/60day-presprim-12 . The report reflects data gathered 60 days before the June 5 Presidential Primary Election, with updates to voter registration rolls in California’s 58 counties including the removal of registrants who have passed away, moved out of state, or have been determined to be ineligible to vote, as well as the addition of new registrants.
“By registering to vote, more than 17 million Californians have taken the first step in deciding the fate of ballot propositions and choosing which candidates for president, U.S. Congress, state legislature and more will square off in November,” said Bowen, the state’s chief elections officer. “Registering to vote is easier than ever with the fillable form offered on my website, and I expect to see these voter-registration numbers go even higher by the May 21 deadline to register.”
The voter registration form at sos.ca.gov/nvrc/fedform can be filled in online then printed, signed and mailed. (The form is even pre-addressed to the registrant’s county elections office.) Californians can also pick up a voter-registration form at any U.S. post office, public library or county elections office. Voters can check their registration status through a portal at sos.ca.gov/elections/registration-status .
The last day to register to vote in the June 5 primary election is May 21. The last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot is May 29.